With its vibrant downtown, booming food and beer scene, and easy access to the Rocky Mountain wonderland, Denver has truly transformed into an outdoor urban paradise. Whether you’re seeking fresh mountain air, a hip city getaway, or perhaps a mix of both, the Mile High City makes for an invigorating escape.
Getting to Denver from across the country or around the world has never been easier or more affordable thanks to increased airline competition. As a major hub for low-cost carriers and a focus city for several major airlines, flyers have plenty of options to snag cheap flights to Denver – if you know where to look.
With some flexibility and savvy tactics, it’s entirely possible to land a beautifully priced fare to this Rocky Mountain destination. From last-minute deals to mistake fares, here are some tips to help you score an affordable ticket to Denver without sacrificing convenience:
Take Advantage of Low-Cost Carriers
Denver is a major focus city for ultra low-cost carriers like Frontier and Spirit Airlines. Check their routes from your home airport as you may be able to snag an incredibly cheap direct fare. Just be mindful of add-on fees for things like seat selection and carry-ons.
Search One-Way Fares
Instead of booking roundtrip airfare, look at one-way flights on a mix of airlines or dates. This allows you to piece together the cheapest possible tickets for your trip. Use search engines like Google Flights or Sky scanner to easily compare one-way options.
Fly into Nearby Airports
Denver International Airport (DEN) is of course the main airport, but also check for cheaper fares flying into regional airports like Colorado Springs (COS) which is only about 90 minutes from Denver.
Book Early or Last Minute
For domestic routes, aim to book around 3-4 months in advance to get the lowest fares. Alternatively, set price alerts to catch any last-minute deal 2-3 weeks before travel dates as airlines look to fill remaining seats.
Check Both Budget & Major Airlines
On routes to Denver, sometimes a low-cost airline offers the cheapest nonstop fare. Other times, it will actually be one of the major legacy carriers undercutting them with promo deals on certain dates.
Use Rewards Programs & Travel Portals
If you have flexibility built up with credit card points or airline miles, redeem them for awards flights to Denver. Subscription discount services like Scott’s Cheap Flights can also alert you to great cash deals.
Play with Dates & Destinations
Shift your travel dates by just a day or two to see if pricing goes down. Also consider flying into Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, or other nearby cities and driving the rest of the way. You may uncover a cheaper fare by opening up flight options.
Some Sample Fares to Denver
To give you an idea of what budget-friendly Denver airfare looks like, here are a few recent flight deal examples:
Boston to Denver
$127 roundtrip on United (nonstop)
New York City to Denver
$172 roundtrip on American (1 stop)
Orlando to Denver
$206 roundtrip on Frontier (nonstop)
Los Angeles to Denver
$117 roundtrip on Delta (nonstop)
No matter what your reasons are for visiting Denver and the surrounding Rocky Mountain region, there’s a cheap flight to help kickstart your travels. If the timing is right and you can pounce on an epic deal, you may even be able to snag refundable tickets in case plans change.
Beyond just affordable airfare, Denver itself is filled with budget-friendly activities perfect for frugal jet-setters. Get your nature fix by hiking, biking or skiing nearby trails and mountain parks. Check out Denver’s street art scene, explore quirky neighborhoods like Ri No, or do some brewery-hopping. You can even take free public transportation around downtown.
Once you’ve landed that sweet deal to the Mile High City, you’ll be raring to go for a jam-packed getaway. Denver is the perfect jumping off point for outdoor adventures in places like Rocky Mountain National Park, Breckenridge, Vail, Colorado Springs, and beyond. If urban pursuits are more your speed, Denver sizzles with top-notch dining, craft breweries, live music and culture galore.
So don’t just dream about those snow-capped Rockies or Denver’s vibrant city scene. Thanks to a wealth of flight options at great prices, getting to this part of Colorado is easier and more affordable than ever before. By employing some flexibility and diligent hunting, you can make your money-saving airfare the first step towards an unforgettable Rocky Mountain high.
